Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1956 Russell “Bud” and Billie Harrell were pictured with the sailfish that Bud caught while vacationing in Acapulco, Mexico. * * *“Life” magazine celebrated its 20th anniversary. To print an average issue, 8 million pounds of paper and 200,000 pounds of ink were required. The staff included 35 photographers, 70 reporters and 43 editors. * * *Zuckerberg’s, the popular clothing and shoe store located at 1001 S. Meridian St., announced that it would remain open until 8 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays for the convenience of Christmas shoppers.* * *Meridian Appliance & Furniture, 1117 Prospect St., didn’t require a down payment on its 21-inch Admiral TV. Payments on the $188.88 set were $2.28 weekly.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1976Roncalli football players Chad Huck, Jeff Jourdan, Tim Dant and Steve Stevason were named to The Indianapolis News’ All-City team. Huck, Stevason, Jourdan and Jack Hawkins were also named to The Indianapolis Star’s All-City team. All five were named All-State by The Associated Press and United Press International. * * *Spartan Drugs, with six locations on the Southside, touted itself as “the headquarters for Christmas gifts.” * * *Smith-Bridenstine Opticians moved into their new offices at 8230 Madison Ave. The staff included Dave Vogelhut and Karen Sweeney.* * *Specials at Murphy’s in Fountain Square included a 6 1/2-foot artificial Christmas tree for $16.98; a two-slice toaster, $7.53; an eight-cup coffee percolator, $13.66; and a 12-inch Bionic Woman doll, $6.99

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1986Block’s was closing its store in Southern Plaza and was holding “good-buy” sales. * * *The Garfield Park Conservatory was all decked out in poinsettias and cheerful lights for the Christmas season, which would feature concerts and an appearance by Santa Claus. * * *Ruby and Larry Larmer opened a variety store in Fountain Square. The shop carried handbags, billfolds, watches, rings, toys and tools.* * *Perry Township firefighters Willis Deardorff, Andy Borton, Jeff Shatto, David Gammon, Kevin Harmon, Rick Stephens, Paul Sergi, Dale Meredith, Tracy Wood, Tony Keeler, Boyce Freese and William Callahan completed an intensive training program at the Indianapolis Police and Fire Academy on Post Road.* * *Roncalli’s boys basketball team was prepared to open its season against Tech. The squad featured Dan Pittman, Jim Tracy, Mark Kirkoff, Mike Eder, Greg Kaster, John Todor, Anthony Hoereth, Kevin Lauck, Tim Ketchem, Joe Walters, Chris Hammond, Pat Crosley, managers Ken and Tom Finneran, Keith Gantner and Paul Heidenreich, assistant coach Chuck Weisenbach and coach Doug Opel. Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1996Indiana police detectives were searching for the man who robbed the Fifth Third Bank at 4202 S. East St. twice within a three-week period. * * *Christmas trains at Whitewater Valley Railroad were operating on weekends. Trains departed the Connersville station and traveled to Metamora, a restored canal town with a working grist mill, restaurants and more than 100 shops. The cost was $6.25 per child, $12.50 per adult. * * *The Indiana State Fairgrounds’ Christmas extravaganza featured more than 5 million lights in themed displays. * * *Opening night was just around the corner for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Ameritech’s “Yuletide Celebration,” which featured the ISO performing Christmas favorites and classical selections.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1956 Charlie Bell’s Appliance & Television Co., 2741 Brill Road, expanded to include a high-fidelity and record shop. * * *Southsiders Alvadeen Rollins, Judith Ann Shimp and Ruby Hickey were killed in a car accident just south of Columbus, Ind. * * *Some of the Southside’s most distinguished cats were entered in the Hoosier Cat Fanciers’ inaugural all-breed show.* * *A variety store (name not mentioned in the article) opened in Southport. The shop carried an array of merchandise, including sewing needs, school and yard supplies, gift items and used records.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1966The Marion County Public Library’s first bookmobile – capable of carrying about 2,400 books – was put into service. * * *National Bank of Greenwood introduced no-fee checking accounts for customers over 65 years of age. * * *Indiana Central College participated in the Hoosier cross-country meet. Local runners competing for the Greyhounds were Steve Holt (Southport High School) Harold Brown (Manual), Steve Coffman (Sacred Heart) and Lee Rund (Beech Grove).* * *A plateful of fried catfish cost $1.25 at Sebree’s Tavern, 2536 S. Meridian St. Forty Years Ago This Week – 1976Warner’s Mobil Service at the corner of U.S. 31 and Fry Road in Greenwood was holding a truckload sale of Wisconsin cheese. * * *The Southern Plaza Merchants Association was preparing for the arrival of Santa Claus. * * *Dee Rappo and Jan Pittman were stylists at Dee’s House of Fashion, 3550 Madison Ave.* * *A house in Beech Grove with three bedrooms, a living room and a full basement was advertised for $20,900. A four-bedroom house in Center Grove with 2 1/2 baths, a formal dining room and a fireplace in the family room was listed for $53,900.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1986Plans for a $3 million facelift of Southern Plaza were announced. The project would include new facades and canopies, sidewalks, landscaping and improved lighting. * * *Melissa Sanders completed one month in her quest to break the world pole-sitting record, which was 488 days. Sanders’ perch was the tiny elevated house at Madison Avenue and Southport Road, in front of the South Pole Restaurant. The record was once held by her mother, Maurie Rose Sanders, who pole-sat in the mid 1950s for 211 days. * * *Perry Meridian’s football team was knocked out of the state tournament by Carmel in semistate action. The Greyhounds struck early and coasted to a 37-14 win. The Falcons (10-3) were the first team from Perry Township to win 10 games in a season in 60 years.* * *Howard W. Ragon, a sophomore at Southport and the son of Larry and Mary Ragon, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor attainable in Boy Scouts.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1996Maria V. Polston, Rachel Price and Nancy Leaf were named fall recipients of St. Francis Hospital’s Family Spirit Awards, presented for going beyond the call of duty and demonstrating qualities closely aligned with those of the hospital. * * *Save-A-Lot opened a grocery store at 3819 S. East St., where prices were guaranteed to be 40 percent cheaper than at brand-name stores. * * *Insty-Prints, 936 E. Hanna Ave., boasted that it specialized in meeting impossible deadlines with high-speed copies costing as little as 3 cents each. * * *Roncalli’s chemistry team garnered first-place honors and a check for $250 at the fifth annual high school chemistry competition at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The squad consisted of Jennifer Marren, Jeremy Novotney, Becca Hoy, Alex Menze, Tom Quinlin, Mike McCoy, Courtney Krebs and coach Stan Hall.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1956 Manual’s reserve football team was crowned city champs after defeating Southport 26-13. Boasting a 6-0 record, the Redskins outscored their opponents by an average of 32-8. * * *The Garfield Furniture Co., 2216 Shelby St., was celebrating its grand opening with a two-day sale. The first 500 customers who stopped by each day received a set of four glasses. * * *The engagement of Nancy A. O’Rourke and John A. Kos was published. They were going to be married Nov. 24 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.* * *Ninth-graders who made the high honor roll at Perry Junior High were Johnny Albright, Patricia Benner, Lonnie Beck, Don Blewett, Mark Bradford, Nancy Brier, Sharon Darko, Jerry Dennerline, Tom Gilmore, Sandra Hedges, Chris Kleinhenz, Bill Lyon, Bill Mann, Judy McClain, Kay Saxton, Robert Toney and Bill Wasson.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1966Sherry Cannon, the 3-year-old daughter of Greenwood residents Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Cannon, won $1,000 for placing third in the 32nd annual Children’s National Photograph Contest. * * *Southport High School junior Karen Strietelmier was elected queen of Area 3 (central Indiana) of the Future Teachers of America organization. * * *Morgan’s Restaurant, 2620 Madison Ave., was under new management and was open from 5 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Wednesday and around the clock Thursday-Saturday.* * *Tuition at Indiana Central College was $550 per semester; room and board was $350.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1986A record 575 correct entries were received for The Spotlight-in-the- Sky contest, in which people identified aerial photographs of Southside sites. Because of the large number of correct guesses, The Spotlight awarded two sets of prizes. The winners, Deidre Smith and Dennis Helm, received dinner for two at Fireside at the Heliport, a free helicopter ride and a bouquet. * * *Jim “J.R.” McCarroll and Linda McDaniel opened the Indianapolis Downtown Antique Mall at 1044 Virginia Ave., where 25 dealers operated shops. * * *Branham’s Bouquets & Gifts, 3637 S. Keystone Ave., was hosting a Christmas open house.* * *Block’s in Southern Plaza was holding a clearance sale, and most merchandise was 50 to 75 percent off the original price.

Seanna K. Reed and Carl Zoderer were engaged. The bride-to-be, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Reed, attended IUPUI and was a part-time employee at the Builders Association of Indianapolis. The future groom was the son of Mrs. Robert Zoderer and an assistant manager at Mr. D’s.* * *Karen Krampe, Nikki Brown, Tricia Rau, Nancy Huebner, Jami Williams, Rebecca Bedwell and Jennifer and Karen Nelson, all members of the Sycamore Ice Skating Club, were going to compete at the State Figure Skating Championships at the Carmel Ice Skadium.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1956 Sport Bowl, 3500 S. East St., was hosting a free bowling clinic for 12- to 17-year-old boys and girls. * * *The Altar Society of St. Roch Catholic Church was planning its annual turkey dinner, which cost 75 cents for schoolchildren and $1.50 for adults. Chairing the event were Mesdames Joe Dippel, Emmett Fromhold, Victor Michaelis and Harry Richardson. * * *Joyce Scaggs, a graduate of Manual High School and the daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. John H. Scaggs, and Terry Vogel, a Southport grad and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Vogel, were queen candidates for Butler University’s Drift pageant.* * *Manual students John Keating, Tommy Burk, Pat Clancy, Linda Moody, Barbara Acton and Barbara Haynes were vying for the title of king and queen of the school’s fall dance.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1966University Heights Hospital, 3300 Carson Ave., was accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation on Hospitals. During its first three years the hospital had cared for 7,000 patients while serving 375,000 meals and performing 23,000 X-ray procedures and 128,000 laboratory tests. * * *The unusual Swiss chalet-type building at 5320 Madison Ave. was the new home of Heidenreich Florists, which hosted a three-day grand reopening and a Christmas floral show. * * *Pfc. Michael L. Nicols, a 1965 graduate of Manual, completed sea school training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, where he was first in his class of 250.* * *Used TVs were priced from $25 at Skinner TV Sales and Service, 2620 Shelby St., which also repaired record players, stereos and radios.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1976Virginia Gale, Connie Roberts, Sandy Brown and Kay Brown were teachers for the Perry Township Religious Education program. * * *Pat Schubach, Dody Battiato, Mary Mullen and Lois Rampone were in charge of preparing the spaghetti dinner that would be served during Roncalli’s holiday bazaar. * * *Mrs. James Perkins was elected area chairwoman of the Indiana Hospital Auxiliaries Association.* * *The Southside Youth Council was busy planning its annual fundraiser. The staff included John Cranfill, executive director; Phoebe Pazcowski, administrative assistant; and Mike Monahan, caseworker.* * *Mr. Liquor’s fastpitch softball team placed second in the city tournament and finished its season with a 36-19 record. Squad members were Eddie Hendrickson, Charlie Greve, Mike Heldman, Chuck Stumpf, Dan Skaggs, Phil and Mike McDonald, Terry Holt, Ron Burket, Charlie and Phil Passwater, Jim Craig and manager Norm Hobson.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1986Perry Meridian football players Brad Detty and Dan Jones accepted a Class 5A sectional championship trophy after the Falcons defeated New Harmony 28-0. Darren Dove rushed for two touchdowns and David Alexander and Aaron Hohlt also scored.In other action, Roncalli’s bid for a second straight Class 3A title came to a halt when the Rebels lost to Cathedral 14-7. * * *Susan Winkelbach and Judy Watson, members of the Friends of Garfield Park, were going to help hold a holiday cooking demonstration at the park’s conservatory. * * *Jim Ancelet, Carol Nungester Jim Padgett, Mike Shelburn, Mrs. Jerry DeFabris and Ed Neu were presented St. John Bosco Medals, the highest honor bestowed upon volunteers in the Catholic Youth Organization.* * *Tony and Debi Clayborn, Ricky and Amy Vaughn, Brad Jones, Shanna Dodd, Laura Callon and Julie Gries were among those who would take the stage at Dancedreams Studio’s recital.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1996The Heritage House smorgasbord, 4990 S. U.S. 31, featured catfish, shrimp, barbecued ribs, roast beef and chicken as entrees. Dinners cost $7.25 for adults; children ages 3-10 were charged 50 cents for each year they were old. * * *Southport Middle School students Reda Ishak, Jenny Rhodes, Becky Lawson, Alison Bruhn and Laura Connallon hosted a benefit for their former student teacher, Joel Goode, who was paralyzed after being shot while obtaining money from an automatic teller machine. * * *April Herman and Tony Robertson were honored as Outstanding Girl and Boy 4-H Junior Leaders in Marion County.* * *The Quality Inn South, 520 E. Thompson Road, featured a surf and turf buffet every Friday evening. The menu included peel and eat shrimp, clam chowder, seafood dishes, roast beef and desserts. The cost was $7.95 for children ages 5-12, $11.95 for senior citizens and $13.95 for adults.

B. Scott Mohr

is the Southsider Voice associate editor. He is a graduate of Perry Meridian High School and Indiana University, where he majored in journalism and political science and wrote for the Indiana Daily Student.